Sean Vanderklis

Background

About Sean Vanderklis

I am an experienced leader in Indigenous governance, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning with a proven track record of building strong partnerships and driving transformative change. My work spans not-for-profits, finance, media, and government, focused on advancing Indigenous reconciliation, economic inclusion, and community-led solutions. With over 20 years of governance experience, I have held executive roles at the Niagara Regional Native Centre, co-chaired the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Indigenous Advisory, and contributed to equity-focused policies as a member of the St. Catharines Anti-Racism Committee. These roles have strengthened policy frameworks and enhanced community engagement across multiple levels. In media, I have served as a Radio Host and Associate Producer at CBC, hosted One Dish, One Mic on Bell Media’s iHeartRadio stations, reported for Torstar Corporation, and provided weekly commentary on CTV’s The Debate with Mike Le Couteur. I have also contributed to several episodes of Canadaland, discussing key Indigenous issues including land rights and policing. In the corporate sector, I advanced economic reconciliation as Director of Business Development for Indigenous Engagement at Meridian Credit Union, leading initiatives to develop Indigenous equity partnerships and improve workforce representation. I provide strategic guidance to organizations committed to respectful and meaningful Indigenous engagement. I am committed to fostering collaboration, amplifying Indigenous voices, and advancing self-determination by facilitating meaningful engagement between Indigenous peoples and Canada. My mission is to support Indigenous communities in shaping their own futures with equity, respect, and sustainable growth.